Inking mechanism for check writers



H. c. WELTER 255929,64@

INKNG MECHANISM FOR CHECK WRITERS Original Filed Dec; 19, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fh if l 87 j @81M Feb 4, 1936., H. c. WELTER www@ INKING MECHANISM FOR CHECK WRITERS Original Filed Dec. 19. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 :7 @yf-JJ /NVENTo/e y Her a@ )4Q/25er Feb., 4, W36, H. c. WELTER INKING MECHANISM FOR CHECK WRITERS Original Filed Dec. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 y v /Nz/ENTo/e Waffel* ?e,tented Feb. 4, 1936 INKING MECHANISM FOR CHECK WElTERS Herman C. Welter, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Hall-Welter Co., Inc.

, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York 3 Claims.

f object of the invention being, in general, to provide an improved apparatus of this charactery which is simple in construction, positive in operation, not liable to derangement and which embodies in a novel construction all the essential features employed in a modern check writing and protecting mechanism.

This application is a division of my pending application, Serial No. 503,515, filed December i9, 1930, in which application such an organized machine is fully shown and described. The improvements constituting the subject matter of this application relate to the inking mechanism and are directed toward inking and re-inking devices for the type with the object of producing a uniformly clear and fresh impression and also consolidating moving parts by partially incorporating part of the die mechanism therein in a manner which is simple, efficient and serviceable with a reduction in the number of moving parts.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations` of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the check writer constructed in accordance with and illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 4 shows the ink rollers and their supporting means removed from the machine;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view as on line 5-5 of Fig. l, with the` printing platen and other parts operating therewith in their inoperative positions;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but with parts removed and with the platen shown in its inoperative position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view as on line 1 1 of Fig. 5, but with the platen and re-inking mechanism in the positions` shown in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 8 represents a fragmentary portion of a check showing printing thereon as done by the machine.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of the particular embodiment of the inking invention illustrated in the drawings, I will give a general idea of the mode of operation and the results produced by the organized machine of both inventions. As stated above, Fig. 8 shows an inscribed fragment of a cheek resulting from a complete operation of the machine. The printed line produced by the serrated types and platens that cause the ink therein to permeate the paper as it is shredded by them is divided in its production into a counter signature impression A, the dollars designation B and the cents designation C. The intermediate impression D for the dollars digits and stop-off characters and E for the cents digits, are produced by a plurality of relatively movable types. Provision is made for printing the counter signature A in ink of a contrasting color, if desired. By a preferably succeeding and independent operation, the payees name, indicated at F and appearing above the printed line, is protected by shredding the paper, as indicated at G, through a mechanism which, however, embodies a die movable to operative position during the printing operation with the movement of the inking device thereof. In other words, the same movement that presents ink to the printing types positions the shredding couple for protecting the payees name. The printing elements, both fixed and movable, are all assembled together in their proper relationships and inserted in the casing of the machine as a unit. When the operator sets the movable amount types D and E in such arrangement as to produce the desired amount gure, he is aided by a visible index that registers the setting just as it appears at the printing point.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the casing is shown as an integral casting comprising a base l and top section 2, the latter overhanging the base to provide a slot opening 3 between the two sections for receiving the work indicated by the numeral 4 and which rests upon a removable bed plate 5, the latter forming a cover for the base and having a transverse opening E through which the platens are raised in their operative movements and, at each side of the top section, a longitudinally extending slot l through which extend the free ends of swinging arms 8 which comprise a stop or check gauge.

Inserted in axially aligned openings in the overhanging portion of the top section 2 are bushings which support, in their counterbored inner ends, a transversely extending non-rotat- .able .Shaft l0. Carried by the shaft I0 and held thereon against rotation by tapered pins i2 are a plurality of (in this instance, three) printing members arranged in spaced relation to each other, being the three nxed typ-es for the zones A, B and C of Fig. 8. Only one of these men bers, I4, appears in the figures. These members are provided with upwardly and rearwardly extending arms I6 which are apertured to receive a transversely extending tie-rooL 66e secured in the side walls of the casing section 2, suc-h rod providing an anchoring means for the printing members which prevents any possible rotary displacement thereof or of the shaft i9. The bottom of the intermediate member i4 has a type face bearing the abbreviation Dols (B) and an underscore line and the others bearing corresponding type faces to produce the impressions A and C.

Interposed between the fixed members, of which I4 is one as described, and independently rotatable on the shaft Iii is one group of plates, each of which embodies a printing segment 22 having a series of type forms comprising, and reading clockwise from the bottom, a top-off character (X), the dollar sign (5), a naught (0) and the numerals (l) to (9) inclusive. This group produces the zone D on the printed check. Another group of plates provided with the printing segment 22 produces the Zone E on the printed check. These plates and segments considered collectively to comprise both groups are provided with upwardly extending operating levers or keys 2?.

The opening 28 is normally closed by a removable cover plate 29 formed with a plurality of parallel slots 30 through which the keys 2 extend, the ends of the keys being provided with detachable nger pieces SI. This plate 29 has a curvature concentric with the shaft EU and bears suitable indexes for the proper manipulation of the printing segments. For instance, to one side of each slot is an index registering the position of each key corresponding to the type forms on the corresponding printing segment except that they are in reverse order.

In the cover 29 above the cross plate 36 are window openings 39, 4U and 4I, through which the positions of the keys may be read and the corresponding setup of the printing segments thus known before the printing operation is performed through the provision of certain registering devices forrning no part of this invention.

Cooperating with the type line hereinabove described is a platen comprising a bar 42 having a serrated face for engagement with the similarly grooved type, this bar being seated in a channel 43, Figs. 5 and 6, in a holder 44 and against the ends of set screws 45 which are locked in proper position of adjustment by nuts 45. Screws 4l threaded upwardly through the holder 44 and into the platen retain the latter seated against the supporting studs. The platen holder is in itself a cross bar formed integrally with the forward ends of the arms of a Y-shaped lever 48 fulcrumed on a shaft 49 located adjacent to and in the rear of the platen holder 44 and mounted against rotation in bosses on the base I. l)The rear and longer arm of the lever 48 has pivotal connection with links 5! which are also pivotally connected to an arm 5E extending forwardly from and fixed to a transversely extending operating shaft 52 rotatably mounted in the side walls of the casing.

The shaft 51. is rotated by means of a lever 53 secured thereto and provided with an operating handle 54, angular throw of the shaft being limited by stop pins 55 and 56 extending outwardly from the casing and adapted to engage a pin 5! by means of which the operating lever is keyed to the shaft. A forward throw of the lever 53 effects, through the toggle connection comprising the arrn 5I and links a movement of the lever 48 which causes the platen to be raised through the opening 6 in the bed plate and forcefully press the check 4 against the type of the setup line, this movement of the platen being against the action of coiled springs 5.3 attached to the lever 4B at its forward end and to brackets 59 carried by the rear wall of the base portion I of the casing, the springs returning the operating lever and parts controlled thereby to inoperative positions when the handle is released.

The types are automatically inked at each operation of lever 53. Fixed to the operating shaft 52, adjacent a side wall of the casing is a crank t0 which, through a horizontally extending link 6I connects with one arm of a two-arm lever 52 fulcrumed on a rod 63 extending transversely of the casing, the other arm of this lever having pin-and-slot connection 64 with one end of a link 65 Which, at its other end, has pivotal connection with and intermediate the ends of a lever' 66 fulcrumed at one end on a stud 61 projecting inwardly from a side wall of the casing. The lower end of the lever 65 carries a laterally extending pin 58 which engages an upstanding, inverted U-shaped strap 69 on a reciprocatory plate T9, this engagement of the lever 65, through the medium of the pin 68 with the said strap, being the means for effecting reciprocatory movement of the plate 'I8 (see also Fig. 2), the latter being moved rearwardly when the operating lever 53 is thrown forward and in the other direction when such lever returns to its inoperative position. Movement of the plate 'IG and its operating connections to their inoperative positions of Fig. 5 is eifected by a coiled spring 'II connected at one end to the lever G6 and anchored at its other end to a side wall of the casing, and by a like spring 'I2 connected to the plate itself and to the opposite wall of the casing. The plate ID is guided in its reciprocatory movement on rails I3 projecting inwardly from the side walls of the casing, the rails being slightly inclined rearwardly and the center of the plate being cut i away to permit it to straddle the toggle arm 5I.

Rigidly secured to the forward edge of the plate 10 is a die bar "I4 having a serrated undersurface, this bar being arranged intermediate the plate 10 and a pad holder 'I5 formed of thin sheet metal and extending transversely of the machine, the edges of the holder being turned upwardly and inwardly as clamping means for an inking pad comprising two sections, one of which l5 (Fig. 7) is inked with ink of one color and the other 'Il with ink of a contrasting color. This pad holder l5 is supported along its inner longitudinal edge by a pintle I8 carried by hinge members 'I9 extending over the top of the bar I4 and secured to the forward edge of the plate 10 by the rivets which are also employed to hold the serrated bar in place. The side edges of the plate 'I ride on the rails by ears I9a pressed from the plane thereof so as to enga-ge under the rails.

Secured to the forward ends of the rails i3 on their under-sides is a stripper plate 88 of flexible sheet metal having parallel openings 8I and 82 arranged above the opening 5 in the bed plate 5, one of these openings being to receive the fil) platen 42 and the other a platen 83, later to be described, which cooperates with the serrated plate 'le in mutilating the paper to protect the payees name.

'I'o the under side of a ledge 84 at the forward end of the base l, there is secured the apex end of a truncated stripper actuating and gripping plate 85, the base edge of which is turned upwardly to provide a` flange 8S having its free edge normally lying substantially flush with but slightly below the face of the bed plate 5. This stripper actuating plate 85 is forced upwardly under the yielding pressure of spring fingers 81 carried by the forward end of the operating lever 48.

In rear of the printing element are ink rollers S8 and 89, shown in detail in Fig. 4, the roller |33 supplying ink to the pad section 'I6 which inks the type forms on the xed members, of which le is shown here, and the rotatable segments 22, while the shorter roller 59 supplies ink to the pad section l1 which inks the type bar I8. These rollers are insertable through an opening 90 in a side wall of the casing and are loosely mounted on a rod 9|, carried by a cover plate 92 for such opening and which is provided with dowel pins 93 to engage in the openings Se at each side of the roller opening to removably support the cover plate, the inner end of the rod being receivable in bearing 95 on the opposing side wall of the casing.

The overhanging portion of the top section 2 of the casing is open at the bottom and such opening extends into the front wall, a cover plate |05, employed as a closure for the wall opening, being removably held in place by the screws |04 on which the arms m2 are pivoted. This cover plate |fi5 conforms to the rounded ends of the side walls of the casing and its bottom edge furnishes a support for the free forward edge of the stripper plate 8d, holding the latter in spaced relation to the bed plate 5, the stripper plate thus functioning also as a guard for protecting the check from contact with the printing members except through the slot openings 8| and 82.

Assuming that a check 4 is placed on the bed plate 5 against the properly adjusted gauge members 3, in which position it is held by the weight of the swinging arms |62, the machine is ready to be operated and such operation of the parts so far described is as follows:

The keys 21 are manipulated to set up the type line and the amount to be printed is read through the window openings in the cover plate 29. A forward and downward pull on the operating lever 53 effects a rotary movement of the shaft 52 which, through the toggle connections l-i, causes a downward swing of the rear end of the lever 48, the consequent upward movement of the holder i4 carrying the platen bar ft2 upwardly into printing engagement with the type, the platen moving through the opening 6 in the bed plate and the slot opening 8| in the stripper plate El). The parts are so timed and relatively arranged that before the platen enters the opening 6 the spring arms 8'! have engaged the plate 85, the edge of its flange 86 moving upwardly just in advance of the platen. Thus, the check 4 is raised from the bed plate 5 by the flange S and gripped thereby against the upwardly movable stripper plate 83, the yielding of the spring arms 8l permitting a continued upward movement of the platen after the check has been gripped in the manner just above described and further movement of the plates 80 and 85 retarded. Then, as the platen enters the opening 8i in the stripper plate it stretches the interposed portion of the check taut over the face of the platen and forces it into contact with the type line, the walls of the opening 8| also functioning to hold the check against displacement during the printing operation as they hold it stretched over the face of the platen.

As the platen is swinging upwardly the carriage, comprising plate 19, die bar 14 and hinged pad holder l5, is caused to move rearwardly with the pad sections le and 'l's' brushing against the face of the set-up type line, this movement being so timed that the pad passes out of engagement with the type before the platen enters the opening 8| in the stripper plate, movement of the carriage being effected by its engagement through the pin 68 with the swinging lever 66 which is actuated by the lever 66 on the shaft 52 and the connections 6|, 62 and 65. During this rearward movement of the pad, the hinged holder 15 rides over ears 15b pressed upwardly from the plane of the plate 89, these ears forcing the pad sections 'l5 and 'l'i into contact with their freely rotatable reinking rollers 8B and 89, respectively.

It may be stated that when printing contact is made by the platen and type line, the stripper plate 80 lies substantially flush with but slightly below the serrated face of the platen and in which position such plate also acts as a protecting means whereby no portion of the check other than that contacting with the type line is eX- posed to possible smearing by portions of the printing segments adjacent the printing line.

When the lever 53 is released, the springs 68 effect a movement of the platen and its operating parts to their respective inoperative positions of Fig. 5, the springs 'Il and 12 also functioning to return the lever 66 and connections operating the ink pad carrying plate or carriage 'It to their normal, operative positions, of the same figure. The stripper plate Sii being flexible automatically drops to inoperative position, yieldingly following the platen but cooperating with the flange 86 in gripping the check il while the platen is moving downwardly and while the check is being stripped from' the type form. Release of the stripper actuating plate 85 by the spring arms 8l permits the latter also to resume its inoperative position. stripper plate 8@ is, of course, in advance of the return of the carriage le and pad holder 15 carried thereby, the latter, as it rides off the ears 15b, permitting the pad sections 'E6 and Tl to effect a spin of their respective re-inking rollers s e8 and 89, whereby different circumferential portions of the rollers will be presented to the pad on successive operations of the machine.

There is built integrally into the top section of the casing ink wells ifi? and it, these wells being normally closed by screw caps 5&9 each carrying a slotted blade llt by means of which the ink is removed from the wells and applied to the rollers S8 and Se, the latter, with the rod 9i on which they are carried, being removed from the casing when ink is applied thereto.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a check writer, the combination with a casing including spaced walls, one of which has an opening, a hinged a holder therefor and means for effecting reciprcoatory movement of the holder, of a re-inker for said pad com'- prising a rod and a roller` freely revoluble thereon, the shaft and its roller being insertable through said opening, a supporting plate for one end of Return movement of the the shaft comprising a closure for said opening, and means on the other of said walls for releasably supporting the inner end of said rod.

2. A combination in accordance with claim 1 characterized by said pad being in two sections for inks of different colors and by said rod carrying two re-inking rollers, one for each pad section, and including means whereby the pad sections as they leave their re-inking rollers effect a spinning thereof for the purpose set forth.

3. In a check writer, the combination with a, printing couple embodying types and a platen movable toward and from the same, of a free running inking roll, a carrier reciprocatable relatively to the platen between the types and platen through the path of the latter, a pad thereon adapted to brush across the type faces when moved in one direction and to spin the roller by inking contact therewith when moved in the opposite direction, and means for operating the platen and the carrier in synchronisrn, the former being in engagement with the type while the pad 10 is in engagement with the inking roll.

HERMAN C. WEL'IER. 

